The Baltimore Ravens were among the teams interested in acquiring All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans, according to Michael Silver of NFL Network.
Though the Ravens failed to land Hopkins–who was ultimately dealt to the Arizona Cardinals–Silver said they might be considered a strong candidate to draft a receiver in Round 1 on Thursday.
The Ravens, according to multiple sources, were one of the teams that made a run at DeAndre Hopkins before the Texans traded him to Arizona. If they draft a receiver tonight, it won't be a huge surprise.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 23, 2020
The Ravens have the No. 28 pick in the first round, and it seems likely they will choose to capitalize on a draft class featuring a number of talented wideouts. That is, assuming they stay at No. 28.
Team reporter Kevin Eck previously iterated Ravens General Manager Eric DePodesta might look to move up or down in the draft, depending on what offers are available.
Earlier on Thursday, Eck also suggested the Ravens could look to grab an inside linebacker if they elect to move up. He also opined the Ravens–pending a trade–might wait to see how the receiver market plays out in the middle of the draft:
The question is when the second “run” on wide receivers starts. Arizona State's Brandon Aiyuk, TCU's Jalen Reagor, Clemson's Tee Higgins and Baylor's Denzel Mims, Colorado's Laviska Shenault Jr. and Notre Dame's Chase Claypool have all been mocked as potential first-round picks.
If they start popping off the board in the late first round, the Ravens could get in on the run. If they're not getting gobbled up, it's a good sign that there could be good second-round options available.
The Ravens led the NFL in rushing and offensive DVOA last season, but they lack a true game-changer at wideout.Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown established a good rapport, and Mark Andrews is one of the better right ends in football.
But Jackson could use another dependable threat split out wide as he looks to improve on his MVP season in 2020.
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